Quote:
Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB
A guy from the Pentagon is on record as saying that the Airbus option supposedly delivers better reliability, too, but I fail to see how they could possibly know that when this plane (with its systems) has never even been built before!
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One - the A330 MRTT airframe which the KC-45 basically is has been selected by the UK, Australians, USA, Saudis, United Arab Emirates so far so I think it's safe to say that the airframe has advantages to off-set the slightly smaller size (aside from cost).
Reliability and durability being the main one (at least from talking to the airline pilots): airframe and systems like engines and such - more reliable, easier access for repairs and higher stress tolerances for loads thanks to carbon fiber re-enforcement that is a standard introduced into Airbus frames since the mid-80s.